Article display device

ABSTRACT

An article display device convertible between a planar display state and a three-dimensional display state, and includes a display unit and a connecting mechanism. The display unit includes two side display plates, and a connecting display unit disposed between and connected turnably to the side display plates. The connecting display unit includes at least one connecting display plate. The display unit further includes a plurality of hanger sets provided on the side display plates and the connecting display plate. Each of the hanger sets includes two spaced apart hanger plates for holding an article. The connecting mechanism is provided on the side display plates and is operable to interconnect releasably the side display plates when the article display device is in the three-dimensional display state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of R.O.C. application No. 101205623, filed on Mar. 28, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an article display device convertible between a planar display state and a three-dimensional display state.

2. Description of the Related Art

Precision tools such as screw drivers are usually placed in a display seat for displaying to consumers. Referring to FIG. 1, Australian Patent No. 2006201352 discloses a hanger 1 for installing a screw driver 10. The hanger 1 includes a hanging body 11, and a sleeve 12 that can tightly retain a shank portion 101 of the screw driver 10. The hanging body 11 includes an installing portion 111 located in the bottom of body 11, and a hanging portion 112 having a reversed U-shape and located above the installing portion 111, wherein the installing portion 111 has a groove 113 for installing the sleeve 12.

Although the hanger 1 provides a hanging display for the screw driver 10, only a single screw driver 10 can be displayed at one time. Moreover, the manner of display of the hanger 1 is fixed and cannot be changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an article display device convertible between a planar display state and a three-dimensional display state.

According to the present invention, the article display device comprises:

-   -   a display unit including two side display plates, and a         connecting display unit disposed between and connected turnably         to the side display plates, the connecting display unit         including at least one connecting display plate, the display         unit further including a plurality of hanger sets provided on         the side display plates and the connecting display plate, each         of the hanger sets including two spaced apart hanger plates for         holding an article; and     -   a connecting mechanism provided on the side display plates and         operable to interconnect releasably the side display plates when         the article display device is in the three-dimensional display         state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a hanger disclosed in Australian Patent No. 2006201352;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment illustrating article display device of this invention in an opened state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment illustrating the article display device in a three-dimensional display state;

FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of the first preferred embodiment illustrating the article display device in the three-dimensional display state;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first preferred embodiment illustrating the article display device in the three-dimensional display state;

FIG. 6 is a view of the first preferred embodiment illustrating the article display device when used in a planar display state; and

FIG. 7 is a top elevation view of the second preferred embodiment illustrating the article display device in a three-dimensional display state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Before the present invention is described in greater detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, it should be noted herein that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the following description.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, an article display device according to a first preferred embodiment is capable of holding a plurality of precision tools 2 and being converted between a planar display state and three-dimensional display state. There are many types of precision tools 2, and screw drivers are used as an example. Each screw driver tool 2 includes a handle 21 and a shank 22 for rotating screws, and a groove 211 is formed in the handle 21.

The article display device is a unitary body of a plastic material that includes a display unit 3, a connecting mechanism 4, and a hanger plate 5 connected turnably to the display unit 3.

The display unit 3 includes two side display plates 31 and a connecting display unit disposed between and connected turnably to the side display plates 3. The connecting display unit includes at least one connecting display plate 32. Each of the side display plates 31 has a first display face 311 that faces the precision tools 2, a first back face 312 disposed opposite to the first display face 311, an inner inclined face 313 that inclines from an edge of the first back face 312 that is closer to the connecting display plate 32, and an outer inclined face 314 that is formed opposite to the inner inclined face 313. The connecting display plate 32 has a second display face 321 disposed between the two first display faces 311 of the side display plates 31, a second back face 322 disposed between the first back faces 312 of the side display plates 31, and two connecting inclined face 323 respectively disposed adjacent to the inner inclined faces 313 of the side display plates 31.

In this preferred embodiment, the display unit 3 further includes three pairs of abutment parts 33 respectively provided on each of the first and second back faces 312, 322, and a plurality of hanger sets 34 provided on the first and second display faces 311, 321. The abutment parts 33 in each pair are triangular in shape and placed at the top and bottom of the first and second back faces 312, 322. Each abutment part 33 has an abutting surface 331. In this preferred embodiment, the plurality of hanger sets 34 are identical with one another. Each hanger set 34 has a first hanger plate 341 protruding from the first or second display face 311, 312 and two second hanger plates 342 protruding from the first or second display face 311, 312 and placed apart spacedly from the first hanger plate 341. The first hanger plate 341 has two installation slots 343 each corresponding to the groove 211 in the handle 21 for holding the precision tool 2. Each second hanger plate 342 has a retaining hole 344 that retains the shank 22 when the precision tool 2 is inserted therethrough.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the connecting mechanism 4 includes a plurality of vertically arranged connecting units 40. Each of the connecting units 40 includes an engaging hole 41 disposed in one of the side display plates 31, and an engaging hook 42 disposed on the other one of the side display plates 31. The engaging hole 41 and the engaging hook 42 are proximate to the outer inclined face 314. The engaging hook 42 has an engaging portion 421 that engages releasably the engaging hole 41.

In this preferred embodiment, the hanger plate 5 is connected turnably to the display unit 3 such that the hanger plate 5 can rotate so as to be concealed in the bottom of the display unit 3. The hanger plate 5 further includes a hole 51.

In a three-dimensional display state of this preferred embodiment, the engaging hook 42 of each connecting unit 40 engages the engaging hole 41, such that the abutting surface 331 of each abutment part 33 abuts against the adjacent side display plates 31 or the connecting display plate 32. The hanger plate 5 is rotated to be concealed in the bottom of the display unit 3, and finally a stable upright article display device is formed, and the precision tools 2 can be held securely by the plurality of hanger sets 34 in a vertical manner.

When converting from the three-dimensional display state as illustrated in FIG. 4 to a planar display state as illustrated in FIG. 6, the connecting units 40 are released from engagement to enable the side display plates 31 and the connecting display plate 32 of the display unit 3 to be disposed on a same plane, and then the hanger plate 5 is rotated so that the hole 51 thereof can provide for hanging the article display device. Therefore, the article display device is designed to be convertible between a planar display state and a three-dimensional display state to suit different display needs.

From a design perspective, the hanger sets 34 are not limited to a particular form and may be designed to hold a wide variety of precision tools 2.

Referring to FIG. 7, an article display device of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for holding a plurality of precision tools 2, and differs from the first preferred embodiment in that: the display unit 3 includes two side display plates 31 and three connecting display plates 32 instead of one, such that the article display device can be formed into a pentagon when converted to a three-dimensional display state.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article display device convertible between a planar display state and a three-dimensional display state, the article display device comprising: a display unit including two side display plates, and a connecting display unit disposed between and connected turnably to the side display plates, the connecting display unit including at least one connecting display plate, the display unit further including a plurality of hanger sets provided on the side display plates and the connecting display plate, each of the hanger sets including two spaced apart hanger plates for holding an article; and a connecting mechanism provided on the side display plates and operable to interconnect releasably the side display plates when the article display device is in the three-dimensional display state.
 2. The article display device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a hanger plate formed with a hole, and connected turnably to the connecting display plate of the display unit.
 3. The article display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the side display plates has a first display face and a first back face, the connecting display plate having a second display face and a second back face, the display unit further including a plurality of abutment parts provided on the first and second back faces for abutting against an adjacent one of the first and second back faces when the article display device is in the three-dimensional display state.
 4. The article display device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the side display plates has an outer inclined face distal from the connecting display unit, and the connecting mechanism includes a plurality of vertically arranged connecting units, each of the connecting units including an engaging hole disposed in one of the side display plates proximate to the outer inclined face, and an engaging hook disposed on the other one of the side display plates proximate to the outer inclined face, the engaging hook engaging releasably the engaging hole.
 5. The article display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting mechanism includes at least one connecting unit, the connecting unit including an engaging hole disposed in one of the side display plates, and an engaging hook disposed on the other one of the side display plates, the engaging hook engaging releasably the engaging hole. 